Preparing for Lent

Sermon • Submitted 7 months ago • Presented 5 years ago

0 ratings

· 1 view

Notes

Transcript

Coming to the end of OT - this Sunday marks end of OT, next Weds is Ash Wednesday, when we being our annual preparation journey to the joy of the Easter sacraments and our celebration of the resurrection of the Lord.

Traditionally there are three focal areas we’re called upon to observe as Catholics for Lent:

1. Prayer

2. Almsgiving

3. Sacrifice & Penance

Whether our current prayer life is strong or is in need of resuscitation, there is always the opportunity to improve.

Perhaps you might take time each day to turn off the TV and spend an extra 10-15 minutes in quiet meditation with the Lord, asking him to show you what he wants you to see. Or say a Rosary every day. Whatever it is – a few extra minutes in prayer each day will help make your Lent more spiritual and meaningful.

We usually think of almsgiving in terms of giving money, but almsgiving can take many forms - perhaps we let go of an old grudge against a family member, or forgive someone who once did you wrong. Or you might offer up a prayer for someone you know who’s having a difficult time. All of those are forms of giving a gift, of making a Lenten offering.

Finally, we generally think of Sacrifice as giving something up for Lent - I won’t eat chocolate, or I’ll watch less TV - but our Lenten sacrifice doesn’t have to be about giving something up for Lent.

LOTH MP this morning: St. Paul 2nd Cor -

“I willingly boast of my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong.”

We’re no stranger to human weakness, to our frailties and physical failings. As Paul reminds us throughout his letters, what we see as our physical illnesses, weaknesses, or failures can in fact become a source of strength for us when we and offer up our suffering as a Lenten sacrifice to God.

So as we prepare ourselves for the Lenten journey, let’s build up our prayer life, offer our prayers and forgiveness for those in most need, and embrace our sufferings as our Lenten offering in atonement and thanksgiving for Christ’s greatest gift to us, the gift of eternal life.